Lighting-fixture.



y P. W.v WAKEFIELD.

LIGHTING FIXTURE. APPLICATION FILED DEU. 23, 1908.

Patented June 15,1909.

m: rin-MW., minimun u c FREDERICK W. WAKEFIEL), OF VERMILION, OHIO.

LIGHTING-FIXTURE Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented .Tune 15, 1909.

Application led December 28, 1908. Serial No. 468,970.

To all 'whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FREDERICK lV. VVAxn- MELD, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Vermilion, county of Erie, and State of Ohio, have invented a new and uset'ul Improvement in Lighting-Fixtures, of which the following is a specification, the principle of the invention being herein explained and the best mode in which I have contemplated applying that principle, so as to distinguish it from other inventions.

In lighting xtures, and particularly electric lighting fixtures, it has lately become popular to employ a chain support from which to suspend the fixture proper, the feed wires being intertwined with such support, and thence conducted to the individual lamps.

T he object of the present invention is the provision of an improved construction of chain support, one that will have, in other words, a higher degree of rigidity, While still simulating the appearance of a chain.

A further object, is to so construct the fixture as to permit its use with gas as well as electric lamps, suitable provision being made for conducting the gas to the lamps through the support.

To the accomplishment of these and related ends, said invention, then, consists of the means hereinafter fully described and particularly pointed out in the claims.

The annexed drawing and the following description set forth in detail certain mechanism embodying the invention, such disclosed means constituting, however, but one of various mechanical forms in which the principle of the invention may be used.

ln said annexed drawing :#-Figure l is a side elevation of a gas light fixture, specifically a chandelier, wherein has been embodied my several improvements; Figs. 2 and are enlarged views of a detail in the construction of a slightly modified form of the support; while Figs. d and 5 are similar views showing the mode of assembling the parts constituting such support.

As has been indicated, my improved fixture is adapted for use with either electric or gas lamps, the drawing illustrating its adaptation to the latter use. The structure, however, of the support A is in either event the same and comprises a central duct or pipe a corresponding with the ordinary pipe from which gas or electric fixtures are ordinarily suspended, and through which either the gas, as in the case in hand, or the electric wires, may be carried to the several lamps B attached in any desired manner to the lower end of the support. Upon tube a are mounted the successive links a of a chain. These links, which are preferably flattened lfor ornamental, as well as for other reasons that will presently appear, are of general rectangular form, and are not permanently .closed kbut the free ends overlap at one of the ends.

Such overlapping ends, as well as the other end of the link, are perforated to permit the passage longitudinally therethrough of the tube a previously referred to as either .conducting the gas to the lamps or concealing the electric wires. It will be obvious accordingly that the links, when detached from the tube, as shown in Fig. 4L, are free to be connected together to form a chain of any desired length. Vhen, however, their free ends are brought into overlapping position, and the tube then passed therethrough, they are firmly secured together, and by reason of their form, provide a rigid construction that withstands any turning or twisting strain, as will be evident. lt. follows, as a result that when, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the terminal links a2 of the series are secured to the pipe couplings c3 wherenf'ith conn ection is had with the supply pipe c4 or the branch arms t leading to the respective lamps, such couplings are likewise limited in their relative turning movement. lt will be understood, however, that such links may be merely loosely secured upon the central supporting tube, as in Fig. 1, as also that such tube need not of necessity be rigid, as shown, but may be a flexible gas tube of the form familiarly in use with drop-lamps and the like. Since the weight of the fixture in such event is borne by the chain, there will be no burden imposed upon the tube passing therethrough. Such a flexible tube may likewise be employed where electric lamps are used and it is desired simply to conduct the wires therethrough to the lamps. Such wires will be not only concealed from view by this expedient, but also saved from chafing, which is otherwise apt to destroy the insulation thereon. It will thus be seen that my improved fixture not only has an ornamental appearance, but also, by reason of its construction affords a superior support for the lamps, whether the latter be assembled in the form of a chandelier, beneath a dome, or in any other approved fashion.

Other modes of applying the principle of my invention may be employed instead of the one explained, change being made as regards the mechanism herein disclosed, provided the means stated by any one of the following claimsor the equivalent of such stated means be employed.

l therefore particularly point out and distinctly claim as my invention I-e l. As a new article ofmanufactin'e, a support for lighting fixtures and the like, coinprising a chain made up of flattened open links, the free endsthereof being perforated and overlapping, and a tube passing longitudinally through said chain and through the overlapping'ends of'such links, whereby such ends are secured together and said links t0 `each other.

2. As a new article of manufacture, a supporty for lighting fixtures and the like, comprising ay chain made up of flattened open links of flexible n'mterial. such links beinO'` of general rectangular forms and the free ends thereof being perforated and overlapping at one end of the link, and a tube passing longitudinally through such chain and through the overlappingends of such linksI whereby such ends are secured together and said links .to each other.

3., A lighting fixture, comprising spaced couplings adapted to be connected with a supply pipe and lamp respectively, a chain made up of flattened open links` of flexible material, the free ends of said links being perforated and overlapping and the terminal links beingvsecured to said couplings, and a rigid tube passing longitudinally through said chain and through the overlapping ends of such links, said tube having its ends threaded in said couplings, respectively.

l. A, lighting fixture, comprising spaced couplings adapted to be connected with` a supply pipe and lainp respectively, a chain made up of fiattened open links of flexible material, such links being of general rectangular form and the free ends thereof being perforated and overla )ping at one end of the link except in -the case ofthe terminal links which are laterally attached to the corresponding couplings, and a rigid tube passing longitudinally through said chain and through the overlapping ends of such links', said tube having its ends threaded in said couplings, respectively.

Signed by me this 18th day of December, 19052.

FREDERICK lV. lVrtKllFllilLD. Atte/steal by- V. llanmi CHILDS, M. E. Liwnnss. 

